Charleston police: Man said he robbed gas stations, ran from police because he was high on cocaine

A North Charleston man who robbed two gas stations and led officers on a chase said he messed up because he was high on crack cocaine, according to police.

Bill Boyd Booker II, 26, was arrested Monday and charged with two counts of strong-arm robbery.

The first holdup was about 9:15 Sunday at the Sunoco gas station at 737 Folly Road about 9:15 p.m. Charleston police said Booker went to the cooler and got a can of soda, placed the soda on the counter and handed the clerk a note demanding money. The clerk gave him about $100 in cash and he ran off, police said.

The holdup was captured on the store's surveillance camera, and the robber made no attempt to conceal his identity. The clerk told police he saw the suspect drive off in a black sedan. Booker's mother identified him from the photos and said he was driving her car without her permission, according to police.

The second robbery was about 3:30 a.m. Monday at the Kangaroo Express on Main Road on Johns Island. Charleston County Sheriff's deputies said Booker was buying a soda and snatched a handful of cash when the clerk opened the register. The clerk closed the drawer on Booker's hand, but Booker was able to grab $55 and run out of the store, according to the report. The robbery was caught on the store's surveillance camera.

Shortly after the second robbery, Charleston police officers spotted Booker driving a black Chevy Malibu on U.S. Highway 17 in West Ashley and tried to stop him. He fled and crashed at U.S. 17 and Dobbins Road, according to the arrest warrant. Booker got out of the car and ran but was arrested about an hour later when he was spotted walking down the street, police said.

When a Charleston County detective showed Booker a surveillance photo from the Kangaroo Express robbery after he was arrested, Booker said it was him, according to the arrest affidavit. Booker also told deputies he was "high on crack cocaine and messed up tonight," according to the warrant.

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